Elk Grove Village police and firefighter/paramedics responded about 12:05 PM Tuesday to a report of a hazardous materials incident at 2471 Brickvale Drive Elk Grove Village, Il. Police and firefighter/paramedics received a report that “benzoyl peroxide” was mixed with an incompatible chemical and was smoking.
The company’s website lists dibenzoyl peroxide on their Material Safety Data Sheet (MSD) as part of an EPCON Activator material used for adhesive anchoring involved in concrete.
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The material is accompanied by the following hazards, precautions and recommendations.
Material …
Heating may cause a fire
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Causes serious eye irritation
May damage fertility or the unborn child
Obtain special instructions before use
Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood
Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, open flames, sparks – No smoking
Keep/Store away from clothing, combustible materials, combustibles
Keep only in original container
Avoid breathing vapors, dust, fume, spray, mist, gas
Wash hands and forearms thoroughly after handling
Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace
Wear eye protection, face protection, protective gloves, protective clothing
The MSD data sheet also lists the following instructions for firefighters.
Extinguishing Media
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, fog.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Any extinguishing media other than water may be ineffective, as this product is its own oxygen
source. Do not use a heavy water stream. A heavy water stream may spread burning liquid.
Special Hazards Arising From the Substance or Mixture
Fire Hazard: Organic Peroxide Category E. Decomposes exothermically on exposure to temperature rise. Heating may cause a fire.
Explosion Hazard: Heat may build pressure, rupturing closed containers, spreading fire and increasing risk of burns and injuries.
Reactivity: ‘Oxidizing’: substances and preparations which exhibit highly exothermic reactions when in contact with other
substances, particularly flammable substances. Will continue to burn in the absence of air.
Advice for Firefighters
Precautionary Measures Fire: Exercise caution when fighting any chemical fire. Fight fire remotely due to the risk of explosion.
Firefighting Instructions: Use water spray or fog for cooling exposed containers. Do not get water inside containers. Do not apply water stream directly at source of leak.
Protection During Firefighting: Do not enter fire area without proper protective equipment, including respiratory protection.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon oxides (CO, CO2). Silicon oxides. Hydrogen chloride. Nitrogen compounds.
Other information: Do not allow run-off from fire fighting to enter drains or water courses.
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Firefighters reported they had the container out of the building, but earlier 9-1-1 dispatch reported that employees at the company had “run” the chemical out of the building and that it was sitting on acrylic.
Firefighters were monitoring the temperature of the material, as the heat reaction of the mix could cause ignition or explosion on its own. The firefighters were possibly diluting the mix as part of the resolution.
By 1:30 p.m. some extra fire crews were leaving the scene, but remaining hazmat resolution teams were expected to be working on the scene for at least another hour.
Staff at area buildings were advised to keep their doors closed and turn off air circulators. There was also some evacuation from the back lot.
Brickvale Drive was also shut down during the hazmat management of the incident.
FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC UNITS ASSIGNED …
ENGINE(S): E8
TRUCK(S): QUINT7
SQUAD(S): SQD7
EMS: A9 A8
CHIEF(S): BC2
SPECIAL: HAZMAT 8
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